OUR ASCENDENCY TO MOUNT ZION
BUT YE HAVE COME UNTO MOUNT SION, AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND TO AN ENUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS. TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN, AND TO GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT, AND TO JESUS THE MEDIATOR OF A NEW COVENANT, AND TO THE BLOOD OF SPRINKLING, THAT SPEAKETH OF BETTER THINGS THAN THAT OF ABEL. Hebrews 12:22-25.
We must understand that as Christians we now dwell in heavenly places far above the principalities and powers that govern this present world. We are no longer subject to the Rulers of Darkness and the Prince and Power of the Air because we sit in heavenly places with and “in” Christ Jesus. As long as our “heavenly connections” are “plugged in” the powers of Heaven are available to us.
The Bible tells us “we HAVE come unto Mount Sion (Zion) the city of the Living God.” Spiritually, we dwell in the City of the Living God—the Heavenly Jerusalem. Our names are “enrolled” on Heaven’s “scrolls” in the Book of Life which is in Heaven. We are “spiritually aligned” with the “spirits of just men” who are now made perfect because of their ascension into Heaven.
The Bible tells us that we are “surrounded” by a “great cloud of witnesses.” (Hebrews 12:1). The Bible does not say we will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, but that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses now.
Many Christians think that we are surrounded by these witnesses “spiritually speaking” because we read about them in the Bible. In a sense this is true. However, we must understand that in the above scriptures the Bible is telling us that we have come to Mount Zion NOW where these men who have been “made prefect” now dwell. The Bible also tells us we have come to Mount Zion where angels are positioned. We dwell NOW in heavenly places far above the principalities and powers that govern this present world.
Many Christians think that Heaven is somewhere beyond the far reaches of outer space and in a sense that is true. However, we must understand that there is no time or distance in the realm of the spirit. Angelic beings do not have to travel long distances to come to our aid when God sends them. The Lord sent Gabriel to communicate with Daniel but he was held up for 21 days. However, that was because the Prince of Persia fought with Gabriel and prevented him from arriving earlier.
Today we do not have to wait on a “communiqué” from God because we dwell in heavenly places in Christ. The only thing that separates the realm of the spirit where Heaven exists and the natural realm is “the veil of darkness” which engulfs this present world. On the other side of spiritual darkness dwells the Light and Life of God. Because we have been born of the Spirit we dwell spiritually in the realm of “Light and Life.”
THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES
The word “clouds” in Hebrews comes from the Greek word “nephos” which means clouds as we know them. However, in the Greek the word “nephos” also has another meaning when we understand the context in which the writer of Hebrews was using the word. In ancient Greece the word “nephos” was used to describe the highest seats in a stadium. The seats at the top of the bleachers in a stadium were called “the nepos” or “the clouds” because they were so high in the air.
In other words, we are surrounded in heavenly places by clouds of witnesses who are there to cheer us on to victory. They are there to help show us the road to victory. They have been to the “top of the mountain” and not only “seen the Promised Land” but also dwell in the “Promised Land.”
Hebrews, Chapter 11 tells us who some of the great cloud of witnesses are. These witnesses include Abraham, Joseph, Noah, Enoch, Isaac, Abel, Jacob, and Moses to name a few. Moses and Elijah met with Jesus on the Mountain of Transfiguration. Other “witnesses” have appeared to men and women of God in dreams and visions. No they were not communicating with the dead. The Bible tells us that God is the God of the living and not the dead. Those who dwell in heavenly places are “alive” in Christ not dead.
A witness is someone who experiences or observes an event taking place. The evidence of what they have seen or experienced is called their testimony in a court of law. The testimony of an event can be used as documented proof of an actual event, especially when the testimony is corroborated by more than one witness.
If we are going to look at the testimony of the “great cloud of witnesses” from what is written about them in the Bible, they are not really witnessing to us themselves. The “witnesses” are not actually surrounding us or testifying directly to us by what someone else has written about them. The Bible tells us that we are “compassed” or surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses “now.” The Bible tells us that we have come unto Mount Zion where the “spirits” of just men are made perfect and to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant.
Spiritually, we now dwell on Mount Zion. Spiritually, we dwell with Christ in heavenly places. Spiritually, we are embraced by the Light and Life of Christ. Spiritually, we have access to the Throne of God where we can come boldly asking for help in the time of our need. Spiritually, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Spiritually, the angels of the Lord encamp about us. In the realm of the spirit here on earth the Lord has given his angels charge over us.
In the realm of the spirit we walk in the Light as Christ is in the Light. Christ “in us” is the victory that overcomes the darkness which “pervades” this present world. Spiritual darkness “pervades” and “invades” the hearts and minds of unbelievers where Light and Life do not exist. The Bible calls Christians the “Children of the Light.”
When we are occupying the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, we are unified with all those who have gone on before us. We are united together with the “great cloud of witnesses” that dwells together with us in Christ Jesus. As Christians we are all part of the body of Christ. We are all citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem where each member is fitly joined and knit together with one another to become the Church of the Firstborn which is Christ.
Moses and Elijah are among the “great cloud of witnesses.” They were seen by Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking with Christ. Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. The Bible does not say what the “witnesses” discussed with Christ, but we know the transfiguration took place not long before the crucifixion.
WHEREFORE, SEEING WE ARE ALSO COMPASSED ABOUT WITH A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US, AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH; WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE CROSS, AND DESPISING THE SHAME, AND IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD. Hebrews 12:1-2.
Faithful witnesses always bear witness of the truth. Jesus came to earth to bear witness of the truth and become a propitiation for our sins. Jesus was/is the Truth. He is the “truth” that leads the “way” to “eternal life.” He is the Truth, the Life, and the Way. Jesus came to bear witness of Himself as the door to eternal life for mankind. In the Courts of Heaven He became our advocate and our justification.
The great cloud of witnesses surrounds us to testify of the truth, the life, and the way which is Christ. Spiritually speaking, if they “compass” or surround us they must be following us wherever we go. They are not just there when we are studying the word or sitting beside us in Church. According to the Book of Hebrews, these “witnesses” are here to help believers to lay aside every weight and the sins that easily beset us.
The cloud of witnesses surrounds us in order to help us run “our race” with patience and endurance as we look unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. It is Jesus who gives us the power to “finish” our race by imparting faith and patience within our hearts. It is the testimony of those “in the bleachers” who are continually offing advice of how truth can set us free from the bondage of sin and the wiles and schemes of the enemy.
On Mount Zion we are encompassed by the angels of God and the great cloud of witnesses that testify of the truth and help believers run their race with patience and endurance. They all work together to bring us into harmony with the Spirit of Grace. They all work together to enlighten the eyes of our understanding in order for us all to become knit together as one in the Body of Christ.